Chapter 82. <33. It's okay, that could happen>
If asked to name the strongest knights on the continent, three names are always mentioned.
The first is naturally the Knight King, Philip III.
The King of Xenas who possessed both skill and virtue, and the great knight who slew the Demon King. His achievements would be remembered for eternity.
The next person named was the Eunuch Knight, Ryan Promhart.
Due to his status, he was underrated, but only after his death was he reevaluated. As the Knight King's right arm, he cut down countless demons including the Archduke of the Demon Realm, Karakus, so he too was worthy of the name "greatest."
And there was one more knight who stood shoulder to shoulder with them—Cynthia Ainsworth, the Golden Dawn of Rhodesia.
She did not conquer the Demon King's Castle or the territories of the Four Heavenly Kings like the Knight King and the Eunuch Knight.
But she blocked more demon attacks than anyone, and saved more suffering people than anyone.
Her appearance, radiating golden aura while sweeping away demons, was like the dawn driving away darkness. Some scholars even claimed that thanks to her, the continent's casualties were reduced by more than half.
"Hmm......"
However, even to the eyes of such a great knight, Irene Curtis's evaluation seemed excessive.
Cynthia Ainsworth checked the report once more.
'Expand exchanges to promote friendship with the Tarazan Kingdom... this is correct.'
According to the report Irene Curtis wrote, the future of the Tarazan Kingdom was quite bright.
This was because the talents from the Academy, especially those from the Knight Department, possessed tremendous potential.
'At the age of 15, three people have already passed one of the three gates to Expert...'
She took in the three names written in the report.
Karl Krone, Theo Sutegarn, Boomer Simpson. They were definitely worth remembering.
'Besides them, Tania Eloise, Byrne Sigal, Wooden Hadley... these children are also worth remembering.'
Their potential also seemed considerable. It was enough to make her wonder how so many talents had gathered in one small nation.
Of course, it wasn't impossible. This much was understandable.
Cynthia Ainsworth organized what to say to the Foreign Ministry and made a simple note. Then she moved on to the next report.
'Lumian Kalad's character... and womanizing.'
This was actually the part she was most worried about.
Of course, when recruiting talent, the most important things to focus on are skill and potential. Naturally. There's no need to go to great lengths to bring in someone who won't be of help to Rhodesia.
But character was equally important.
Especially in Lumian Kalad's case...
'He formed a deep connection with the Mercenary King Morgan, that lecherous bastard...'
Cynthia Ainsworth furrowed her brow.
She had never met the Mercenary King in person. But she was well aware of his womanizing.
It was amazing that someone who was even a Swordmaster had such loose morals.
But what if Lumian Kalad had similar tendencies?
What if, like the Mercenary King, he went around acting like a rake, not distinguishing between this woman and that woman?
'That won't do. If he's that kind of guy, there's no reason to recruit him no matter how outstanding his skills.'
There was already a bad precedent.
100 years ago, just like now, they had brought in a boy with tremendous potential. According to historical records, he grew into a very strong knight, meeting Rhodesia's expectations.
However, due to his endless philandering, countless knights, officials, and even royals became pregnant with his child, and he committed suicide out of fear of the consequences.
The situation was so chaotic at the time that there was almost a bill created stating that men should not be placed in important positions.
What Cynthia worried about was similar to this.
The Mercenary King's disciple, moreover a 15-year-old boy who tried to pick up women at a shop, got into an argument, and even pulled out an Aura Sword while drunk.
It was a situation where prejudice was bound to form.
Therefore, she ordered Irene Curtis to investigate Lumian's lecherous tendencies.
And the result was:
'His character is upright and clean, he values chivalry, and he knows how to treat women like stones to keep his convictions?'
It was unexpected.
Of course, it didn't say he disliked women. Rather, the beginning stated that he was quite interested in them.
But Irene didn't consider this a major problem.
[The curiosity Lumian Kalad shows toward women is at an extremely normal level, and can never be considered a flaw. Rather, his firm conviction that won't crumble in any situation is impressive... omitted... tremendous mental strength that would be comparable to Rhodesia's high-ranking knights... omitted]
It was a very generous evaluation.
Talking about "a high-ranking knight's mental strength" for a kid who hasn't even lived 20 years.
It was enough to make her doubt her eyes. In fact, Cynthia read this part two, three times. To check if there was some metaphor she didn't know.
But there couldn't be such things in a report that was supposed to convey only facts.
'If this is true... we can't just be satisfied with sponsorship.'
Unconditionally, by any means, he must be recruited.
That's what she had thought. Until she first saw the report.
There was another part she truly needed to pay attention to.
Cynthia examined the last page of the report with a stiff expression, the part about 'Lumian's current skill and potential.'
This part, she had truly read countless times. Nevertheless, she still couldn't believe it. Even though Irene Curtis was quite a reliable subordinate.
[Lumian Kalad's current skill cannot be measured by this writer's ability]
[Lumian Kalad's potential cannot be measured by this writer's ability]
[For accurate judgment, it is estimated that at least a Swordmaster-level expert would be needed]
"Sigh... what on earth is this..."
It was more absurd than surprising.
She pressed her fingers firmly against her eyes.
'I really... don't know how to take this.'
It couldn't be helped.
Just the fact that he reached Expert at 15 was already recognized as the greatest talent in history.
But that wasn't enough—he possessed skill surpassing Irene Curtis, a veteran knight of Rhodesia?
He's estimated to have single-handedly defeated a high-ranking demon in a very short time?
She couldn't believe it at all.
No matter how much she trusted her subordinate's report, she couldn't accept this at face value.
"...I need to verify this myself."
Cynthia Ainsworth murmured as she set down the report.
She could make up an excuse somehow.
After roughly handling urgent matters, she should visit Tarazan Academy as soon as possible.
Her eyes, having made her decision, glowed golden.
Even at over 60 years of age, her eyes still conveyed strength.
***
"Aah......."
Lumian groaned in an empty room.
Today was Monday, the start of the week. The time was afternoon, just past lunch.
Naturally, he should have been attending classes, but he was still lying in bed.
This was because he received permission from Professor Irene Curtis to take a week's rest.
He had fought not one but two high-ranking demons, and pushed himself slightly in the process. He wanted to recover his body while circulating his aura.
When he made this claim, Irene readily granted his request. To her eyes as well, Lumian's condition certainly didn't look good.
'He must have overexerted himself raising his aura. His face looks haggard.'
Of course, what Lumian said was a lie.
There was no way someone with skill counted among the best on the entire continent would struggle this much. In reality, Lumian's physical condition was fine.
However, his mental state was not good. Lying in bed, he sighed as he recalled memories of Layton Wyno.
'It was good...'
Of course, he didn't miss her or want to see her again. He knew well that his relationship with Layton Wyno was completely over.
But the fact that he had experienced his first proper date, and yet only tasted the bitterness of heartbreak instead of happy love, pained him. It was much more painful than failing without anything happening.
The fact that his mental age was that of a 60-year-old grandfather didn't matter at all.
What mattered was that this breakup was his first.
'I never understood those junior knights who would cry after getting dumped by women... not even a little...'
Now he thought he understood.
It was more stinging and depressing than he had imagined. Lumian, who had let out a single tear, sat up.
'That's enough. I can't stay in despair like this forever.'
"Where in the world is there only one woman!"
Lumian muttered loudly.
He was right. Just as countless men swarmed the continent, there were also many women.
Of course, among them, there were very few women who caught his eye, and the probability of those women liking him back was even lower.
But anyway, thinking that there might be at least one partner for him in this wide world made him feel a little better.
'And, I have improved compared to before!'
It was true.
He recalled when he first went to the ball.
He was so nervous that he couldn't even speak properly and fled the scene.
Compared to then, he had made great progress now.
After all, he had even rolled around in bed with a woman!
'That's right! I'm better than Boomer! Absolutely!'
When things are tough, Boomer Simpson is the only one to rely on. That guy was a solid presence, like a safety net installed under a bridge.
Thinking of him, the sadness, loneliness, and slight anger stuck in his chest seemed to fade.
Of course, it didn't disappear completely.
It hadn't even been a few days since the incident, so there was no way he could become calm that quickly. Lumian recalled his past life memories.
'How long did it take for those who broke up to get better...'
It varied greatly.
Some recovered in just a day, while others couldn't escape their sadness for years. Thinking about it, the variance was so extreme that it was hard to calculate an average.
However, recalling the past wasn't entirely useless.
He discovered what those who quickly overcame their heartbreak had in common.
'The guys who forgot their past love quickly all started dating new women quickly!'
Love is healed by another love.
An eternal truth. Lumian finally realized this and nodded with a bright expression.
Of course, he couldn't meet a woman right away.
To say it again, Lumian had little experience with women, was cowardly, and had high standards. Very unfavorable conditions for dating.
Moreover, he was holed up in his room lying down—how could he call a woman right away?
But.
'I don't have a woman, but I do have something to comfort me.'
A lewd smile crept across Lumian's lips.
He bent down, reached under the bed, and pulled out a book.
It was the erotic book he had purchased at the bookstore 'Hit Me,' recommended by Boomer.
Lumian nodded as he looked at the cover depicting a naked woman.
'Sure enough, I feel like my wounded heart is being healed.'
He swallowed and slowly turned the pages.
He had already read it once, but perhaps because it had been a while, it felt new. Not a bad feeling.
Hot breath escaped his lips. His eyes widened as if being sucked into the book.
Just then, a knock sounded at the dormitory door.
Knock, knock, knock
'What the? Theo? Or Boomer?'
Lumian frowned slightly.
There was no one else who would come to his room. At most, it would be Karl Krone.
If so, there was no need to hide it. They were all the same kind of guys.
Having finished his thought, he spoke dismissively.
"The door's open, just come in."
"Really? Then excuse me."
Creak
The door opened. Lumian tried not to care whoever came in.
But he couldn't. Because the voice was completely different from what he had expected.
He looked up in surprise, and his eyes met with the person outside the door.
Lumian said with a dumbfounded expression.
"Senior Tania...?"
"Hello? I heard you weren't feeling well so I came to visit..."
Tania, entering with a bright smile.
What made her stop was definitely the book.
Lumian hurriedly hid the book under the blanket.
But it was futile. A few words slipped from her mouth.
"Whip... rope..."
"N-no, this is, well, I mean..."
'Damn, damn it!'
Lumian's eyes wavered. It was as if an earthquake had struck.
In that state, he mumbled various excuses before finally closing his mouth and lowering his head.
He had given up.
No matter what excuse he made, he couldn't get out of this situation.
Realizing this, Lumian wore a gloomy expression.
'To say I'm resting because I'm sick... after what happened with Layton Wyno... and then getting caught reading an erotic book right away...'
And it wasn't even a normal one. It was a book with such explicit content that you could tell just by looking at the cover.
Being caught with something like that by a woman, Lumian didn't know what to do with shame.
He couldn't lift his head. He couldn't imagine what expression Tania was looking at him with.
Thus, he sank into an endless swamp of self-loathing.
But then.
Slap!
"Ah!"
"Hey, why are you being like that over something like this?"
Tania's reaction wasn't as serious as Lumian had thought.
He looked at his senior with a surprised face.
An expression as if it was no big deal. She spoke calmly.
"What's so strange about looking at stuff like that? Even women watch a lot these days. Don't worry about it."
"H-huh? Really?"
Lumian asked with a flustered voice.